Not more than 3 months ago, shortly after graduating from college, I moved accross the country from Wisconsin to Colorado.
A few days ago I found out that I would be able to travel back home for Thanksgiving due to some extra time off work. I was going to do a Thanksgiving Day race in the town I currently lived in but now that I was travelling I really wanted to find a race back home.
I managed to find one, which looked like a good event and decided to register. However, that day was the final day for preregistration ($20 versus $25). I decided to mail in my entry, postmarked that day, with the "early bird" amount and figured that I would be just fine.
I was wrong.
Yesterday I returned home from work to find a message from a woman involved with the race informing me that they could not register me without having the extra 5 dollars in hand.
I know what some of you might say..."but they didn't get it on or before the preregistration deadline". While correct, that doesn't mean they couldn't just be lenient and let the FIVE DOLLARS go. I'm coming from over a thousand miles away to run in their race. Its not like this is a major marathon or anything. Its a Thanksgiving morning fun run yet they feel the need to call me long distance to tell me to waste another stamp on them.
Has anyone ever had any experience with something like this? I work at a running store that does local race registrations and I give people the benefit of the doubt on many occasions when they are in just this situation.
I've got my own ideas on what to do next. BUT, I want your suggestions on how should I handle it as well.
note: My username is true to life. I'm no moneybags and really would like to keep my 5 dollars.